skip to main |
skip to sidebar
I recently replaced 3 large ugly drawers in the middle of an old dresser
with a vintage window turned door and cupboard space behind.
Here are the much anticipated BEFORE shots.
The first time my daughter saw this dresser she remarked on the ugliness of the middle drawers.
Not to worry they will get used in the future but out they go for now.
This is my sliding compound mitre saw, a tool I use just about every day,
and definitely an asset for this project.
The interior of the cupboard was lined with the wood from the 4 drawers.
A = drawer back
B = drawer bottom
C = drawer sides
There is a great deal of framing going on behind that beautiful wood interior.
Again most of it was the original framing for the drawers just re purposed.
Its like it was meant to be this way always!
You can find all the beauty shots here,
and if you would like to see more BEFORE and AFTER shots
of more projects check them out here.
Read More..
I was surprised at the interest in the crack-house dresser that I had painted. I had listed on CL and got quite a few calls. I even had multiple buyers for it on the same day. The person asked me if I was going to be doing any more like it. So, when I came across these two siblings, I thought I could paint one in the same fashion. So I did! 
Like my garage??? 3 dressers (four if you count the one you cant see) a hutch and a buffet....all awaiting my time. Yeah, ok, sure...Ill get right on that. The two siblings are on the left with the oh-so fetching coat of arms brand-thing is what Im working on. The one below is the smaller of the two. I dont even know what that green/yellow monstrosity is, even the owner didnt know what it was. All I know was that it had to go bye-bye. Some wood filler and a good sanding, and away it went. So...here it is,,,,crack-house dresser paint #2!
This one was in far better shape. I refinished the top and shined up all the brass hardware.
The top was refinished with Varthane gel walnut, wood sealer, and dark paste wax. I used the same turquoise and orange paint. The yellow was just something I had laying (lying?? I always get those mixed up...dogs lay, people lie..What about paint?? Hah!) around. The Hub polished up all the hardware on his polisher. Almost looks as though they brass plated copper! The little brass studs were solid black. They shined up pretty durn good!!I thought this fabric went perfectly with the colors.
Linking up to all my faves, see below......plus http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/</a>
SO when the rain comes before expected sometimes my furniture doesnt get
photographed the way I would like.
Case in point this blue dresser.
On a lovely warm sunny day Ill pull something out of storage and start working in the yard.
Ill fix all the broken bits including drawer glides, and replace missing drawer guides.
Nailing a backer on, and glue a chipped drawer corner back in place.
At some point I decide what color Im going to start with,
this day it was blue for a piece Shelly had done over at A LITTLE BIT OF SHIZZLE
I wasnt trying to reproduce her work of art,
its just the piece that inspired the color choice of the day.
Ive added a link to see more of Shellys work at the bottom of this post.
Masking, spraying, distressing, and waxing all happens before installing new hardware.
A finish for the top gets underway.
Once finished but before I can move things around to style for photos,
the rain comes or even simple life happens.
So this is what happens .....
Photo editing!
It doesnt happen too often because I work hard at getting good photos,
but it is a necessary evil when you have bad lighting, bad weather, or limited time.
Pop over to see more of Shellys masterpiece at A LITTLE BIT OF SHIZZLE:
http://alittlebitoshizzle.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-very-first-annie-furniture.html
Read More..
Ive been wanting to do a true tall boy subway dresser for some time.
And recently a couple of my fellow blog ladies have inspired me to get moving on that project.
First up is Bliss @ Bliss Ranch with her Kodak Dresser.
http://blissranch.blogspot.ca/2012/04/my-kodak-moment.html/
And secondly is Suzan @ Simply Vintageous
http://suzyq-vintagous.blogspot.ca/2012/04/my-ny-subway-dresser.html
My main inspiration started with this fabulous shaker style tallboy @ Lindauer Designs
http://www.lindauerdesigns.com/nyc-subway-sign-dresser/
But I had to do it in the VANCOUVER style,
and add what Im calling my signature typo.
Only those who know Vancouver should be able to find the spelling mix-up,
but for the most part you read it the way you are suppose to.
Next time Ill share how I transformed this mid century look into a shaker style,
in a few steps.
Let me know if you see the typo ...
Read More..
I turned this elegant mid century dresser into a chic and modern TV console.
Look at these wonderful carved wood handles extending the full length of each of the 9 drawers.
George picked this up from a nice lady quite some time ago
but I refused to work on it till he recently egged me on again.
The drawers are beautifully built with solid wood front to back, top to bottom.
I wish I could find this level of quality in every piece I work on.
The entire inside frame structure is constructed with solid hard wood.
Now to the reason I refused to work on this piece.
The 6ft long top surface *interior* is ... (listen carefully for the scarey music)
MDF - medium density fiberboard
This invention of the 1960s is formed by gluing together wood fibers under high heat and pressure.
Unfortunelty this dresser dates to 1972, thus becoming an early victim of this new invention.
However this piece also has a thick solid wood veneer covering the MDF,
making it possible for me to completely strip, sand, and refinish the top.
Those familiar with my work know my clear feelings regarding MDF products but many DIYers
are finding ways to refinish it and repurpose pieces constructed of it.
Like these MDF cupboards given a faux paint finish at KFD Designs
How about this wall art using MDF from All Things Thrifty
MDF hardboard was used to transform this guest bedroom at Miss Mustard Seed
So George made one last attempt to convince me to give it a shot and offer a MDF revamp.
Im pleased, well very pleased with the end result but I dont feel my opinion on MDF is going to change any time soon. If this MDF hadnt been wrapped up in so much beautiful craftsmanship
it would have never got my attention.
I opted to industrialize it and give it the low profile needed for a sleek TV console
with vintage metal casters I picked up from my favorite antique dealer.
"Now thats stunning"
is what George said as he walked around the corner not expecting to see it finished for the first time.
He actually keeps saying it every time he passes by.
Telling the story at:
Read More..
